Katas sa VAT Pantawid Kuryente reaches Samar province

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
July 16, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  Samarnons do not have to envy Metro Manilans as they enjoy the P500 power subsidy through President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s “Katas sa VAT: Pantawid Kuryente”.

On Saturday, at the Samar Electric Cooperative (SAMELCO ll) 30th Annual General Membership Assembly held at Basey Gymnasium, General manager Ponciano Rosales announced that Samarnon households who consume 100 kwhr and below per month will enjoy the program.

It was in June when Metro Manilans were told to avail of the project.

Rosales said that unlike in Metro Manila where they receive the cash of P 500, in Samelco ll, the amount will be credited to the consumer’s account.

If a member consumer only consumes P300, the balance of P200 will be deposited for the succeeding month.

Elenea Berongoy from Basey who is about to pay P496.99 for her 78 kwhr consumption feels relieved that her one month electric consumption will be considered free.

Rosales said that this is an additional burden for his staff but because this would surely benefit poor Samarnons, he welcomed the PGMA program.

Meanwhile, Bunye, the Press secretary then stressed this subsidy of P500 pesos is “a one-time assistance” which was clear from the very start.